Chapter 87

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

The third day of the march.

The team entered the area known as Broken Canyon, one of the most dangerous zones on the Brevis Icefield.

Legend has it that this place was originally a continuous range of peaks, but later, due to tectonic movement, countless canyons split open.

Since most of the Second Legion's main combat vehicles were with Lin En's escort team.

So they could only choose the widest, but comparatively circuitous route.

Therefore they fell out of contact with the main force for a distance.

The two sides of the canyon are sheer cliffs, and in the middle is a narrow passage.

Bone-piercing cold winds blow here year-round, wind speeds reaching forty meters per second; a person simply cannot stand firm within it.

Lin En's command vehicle was located in the middle of the team, with a thousand tanks guarding front and rear respectively.

The Miniature Shredder Worm on his shoulder stirred.

Lena's consciousness transmitted a warning: "There are life signs in the surroundings."

"Many, above."

Lin En's heart tightened.

He immediately ordered the whole team on alert.

Boom!!!

A massive explosion sounded simultaneously from both sides of the canyon.

The cliff faces collapsed.

Tens of thousands of tons of rock and accumulated snow poured down like a waterfall, instantly submerging the canyon passage.

"Enemy attack!!!" The alarm shrieked piercingly.

But it was already too late.

Infantry without vehicle protection were swallowed in the first wave of the avalanche.

Even with vehicle cover, many vehicles were buried under meters-deep ice and snow, unable to move.

Lin En's command vehicle, because it had been reinforced, barely withstood the impact.

But the vehicle body was severely deformed, one side's tank track snapped.

"Adult! We've been ambushed!" The driver's voice carried anger.

Lin En gritted his teeth, kicking open the deformed door with one foot.

Cold wind mixed with snowflakes rushed in, blowing so he couldn't open his eyes.

He climbed out of the vehicle, seeing the canyon passage completely buried.

Everywhere were twisted vehicle wreckage, shattered limbs, and ice and snow stained red.

Some militia were not inside the APCs; they were responsible for clearing ice and snow to open the way.

The soldiers outside these vehicles survived in very few numbers, and most were injured.

They looked around in panic, trying to find the attackers.

Lin En hurriedly pondered who the attackers this time might be.

Green Skins?

But frontline battle reports showed the Green Skin main force was still outside the Frost Ban Wall, having not broken through the defensive line.

Just then, the answer appeared.

On the cliffs on both sides of the canyon, a row of figures appeared.

They were uniformly cavalry.

Their mounts were wolf-like yet not wolves, slightly larger than horses, whole bodies covered in white keratin layer, a single horn atop their heads.

One-Horned Ice Walker Beast, Lin En recognized the identity of those alien beasts.

Native alien beasts of Brevest, able to move through blizzards as if on flat ground, and adept at climbing cliffs.

And riding on their backs were Breviss Savages.

They are sub-humans mutated from miner descendants, driven into the ice plains over a thousand years ago.

They possess the basic human outline, but their whole bodies are covered in dense white hair, eyes ice-blue, flashing with wild light in the wind and snow.

Tall stature, average height exceeding two meters, muscles knotted.

Holding crude weapons in hand: bone spears, stone axes, and even Imperial standard grenades!

Lin En's heart sank; he guessed the identity of these people.

"Snow Claw Clan".

Unlike the neutral "Ice Fang Clan", they are the most radical, most hostile-to-the-Main-Hive faction among the Breviss Savages.

They regard Main Hive people as "traitors", never able to let go of the hatred that the Main Hive abandoned them back then, leaving them to fend for themselves on the ice plains.

So they often attack any Main Hive people who enter the ice plains.

But this time, something's off.

The explosives they used absolutely came from the Empire, and the quantity wasn't small.

This absolutely isn't something the Snow Claw Clan could get hold of on their own.

"We've been set up. Who has the gall?" Lin En said in a low voice.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The second wave of attacks arrived.

Snow Claw warriors hurled grenade after grenade from the Ice Wall, landing them amid the crowd.

Explosions bloomed in the ice and snow, mingled with shrieks and flesh and blood.

"Protect the Adult!"

Dou Dou's roar rang out.

This Ogryn crawled out from under an overturned Armor Vehicle, covered in blood, yet still standing ramrod straight.

The other Ogryns also lunged at the other Human Soldiers outside the vehicles.

With their bodies, they built a city wall.

Using their own massive Green Skin Bodies, they shielded them beneath themselves.

Metal fragments shot in like rain, most striking the Ogryns' heavy Power Armor with a piercing metallic screech.

But some still penetrated the gaps in the armor, burying themselves in flesh.

Dou Dou let out a muffled grunt, his body swaying.

But he did not fall.

"Dou Dou!"

Lin En immediately helped Dou Dou up.

He saw Dou Dou's back bristling with metal fragments, fresh blood gushing from the Wounds, dyeing the white snow red.

The other Ogryns were the same.

They used their bodies to block the lethal explosions for the "weak" comrades beside them.

"Big Boss..."

Dou Dou lifted his head, a simple, honest smile on his face.

"We, protect, comrades!"

Having said that, he closed his eyes and passed out.

Lin En crouched down, checking his injuries.

Fortunately, they were all superficial wounds; the Ogryn's Green Skin Virus Body was tough enough — he wouldn't die for now.

The other Ogryns were also injured to varying degrees, but with the protection of their heavy Power Armor, Lin En's Guard Team suffered basically no casualties.

But those without Ogryn and Vehicle protection were not so lucky.

Of the fifty-thousand-strong escort force, at least twenty thousand would sleep eternally in this Frozen Soil.

And the Snow Claw Clan's cavalry had already begun diving down from the Ice Wall.

They let out strange howls, brandishing Weapons, preparing to harvest the surviving soldiers.

Lin En stood, his figure tall and straight amid the Wind and Snow.

The Ice Wind howled, scattering his hair.

His eyes, one purple, one gold, blazed with Radiance in the Wind and Snow.

He had originally not intended to let Lena be exposed this quickly.

But now.

These scum had successfully enraged him.

He raised his hand, lightly stroking the Miniature Shredder Worm on his shoulder.

"Go, Lena."

He stared at those cavalry, his eyes holding only the purest Killing Intent.

"Let's see who the real prey is."

The very moment Lin En's Voice Fell.

One thousand kilometers away, at the Bravius Main Hive, the Governor's Mansion.

"Isud," who was reviewing Documents, suddenly froze.

The Data Slate in her hand slid to the floor, her whole body pitching forward, Forehead striking the Office Desk heavily, losing Consciousness.

A few Seconds later, the Attendant outside the Door heard the movement and pushed the Door open to enter.

"Madam?"

He saw Isud lying prone on the Desk, as if asleep.

But the Posture was very unnatural.

The Attendant approached cautiously, calling softly: "Madam? Are you unwell?"

No response.

The Attendant hesitated, reaching out to shake her awake.

The instant his Fingertip was about to touch her Shoulder.

"Don't touch her."

An icy voice came from behind.

The Attendant shuddered in fright and looked back.

A Bald Head in a high-grade Uniform stood in the Doorway, expression grave.

"Consul Adult." The Attendant hurriedly Saluted.

That Consul did not look at him, merely staring at Isud prone on the Desk.

His Gaze Swept over Isud, as if he had realized something.

A few seconds later, he spoke: "The lady is tired; let her rest."

"Without my command, no one is to enter this office."

"Those who disobey the command will be dealt with by military law."

The Attendant swallowed, lowered his head: "Yes!"

He withdrew in haste, closing the Door behind him.

The Governor stood In Place, looking at Isud for a few seconds.

Then he turned and left.

In the Office, only Isud remained.

Or rather, an empty shell.